Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing binder elements onto a stack of pre-punched paper including a platform for holding the paper, reciprocating guide fingers for inserting through the pre-punched holes to engage free ends of curled fingers of the binder element whereas the spine part of the binder element is restrained by a holder which moves laterally to spread apart the curled fingers. The spread apart curled fingers then are flattened and driven upwardly through the holes as the guide fingers retreat upwardly and thereafter separate from the curled fingers to complete the binding of the pages.

Abstract: A lockout assembly for an electric press alternately operable by either a foot switch or a table switch includes a lock knob. An annular switch ring is rotatably mounted beneath the lock knob. The annular switch ring includes a release opening. The switch ring is rotatable between a locking position in which the release opening is out of alignment with an actuating lever of the table switch, and a release position in which the release opening is in alignment with the actuating lever of the table switch.

Abstract: A binding machine for opening a multi-ring plastic binding element to install a stack of pages thereon, providing an improved adjustment mechanism to set the opening dimension of the rings corresponding to the stack of pages to be bound as well as the particular sized binding element to be used. The adjustment device provides a stop ring mounted coaxially around a rocker shaft which upon rotation imparts sliding movement to longitudinally arranged fingers which engage with and open the binder element rings, the stop ring rotationally adjustable with respect to the rocker shaft and arranged to interfere with a stationary stop of the apparatus upon preselected rotation of the rocker shaft.

Abstract: A circuit for boosting the power output of a motor in which a sensor stage, preferably a voltage divider, is coupled to comparator stage, preferably a reverse biased to a diode, which in turn is coupled to a power boost stage, preferably a relay and switched capacitance associated therewith, such that upon sensing of excess loading of the motor, the capacitance is switched across the output of the motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating groups of sheets from a stack for a punching or binding operation. The invention uses a dual disk arrangement having a front disk and a rear disk. The arrangement is for separating a substack from a stack of pages, the substack temporarily resting on the rear disk, and divided by the front disk. The arrangement includes a plurality of rollers downstream of the substack to transport the substack to a downstream processing station.

Abstract: A laminator temperature control includes a control circuit having a sensing amplifier that drives a triac to control power to PTC heating elements. A temperature sensor at an input of the sensing amplifier causes power to be inhibited to the heating elements when a predetermined adjustable temperature is reached by heating plates positioned between two pairs of rollers. When the heating plate temperature is below the predetermined temperature, proportioned control of the power supply duty cycle is provided. Indicators display the power supply status and temperature ready status of the laminator.

Abstract: A control circuit for a binding apparatus using a binder covers having resistance heating strips in a heat activated adhesive includes a power control to output a constant power to the heating strip. A duty cycle of the power signal supplied to the heating strip is controlled dependent upon the resistance of the strip. Fault detection circuitry indicates an open circuit in the resistance strip and interrupts the power supply. A stress test is performed by a high voltage generator which emits a high voltage pulse at the start of the binding cycle to stress the connections in the binder cover and thereby cause failure of any weak connections before the binding cycle is underway. A timer circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A control circuit for connection to a split capacitor motor automatically switches to reverse operation when the motor is caused to stop or slow unacceptably by a heavy load. During operation, a voltage is maintained across a relay winding which is sufficient to hold the relay contacts in the normally open position. A slowing or stopping of the motor causes a reduction the voltage across the relay winding, which permits the relay contacts to switch to a configuration that reverses the phase of the current through the main and auxiliary windings of the motor, thereby reversing the motor.

Abstract: There is provided herein a binding apparatus for use with a cartridge having at least one curled-finger ring-type edge binder, which apparatus is adapted to bind prepunched sheets together and form a booklet. The binding apparatus defines a binding position and includes cartridge support means for supporting a cartridge having at least one binder therein at the binding position, paper guide means for guiding sheets of paper with prepunched apertures to the binding position, insertion tool means for axial insertion into the binder to bind same to receive sheets therein, and clamp means are provided for selectively receiving paper for binding and for positioning the binder means at the clamping position.

Abstract: The system disclosed herein includes a pair of polymeric elongated edge-binding strips, each of which includes upstanding staple-like members extending from the strip adjacent the center and the ends thereof. Staple deforming depressions are positioned adjacent each staple-like member. In use a pair of edge-binding strips are positioned opposite each other and are used to bind a series of stacked sheets. In such a case, the strips are arranged to face other with staples from one strip aligned with depressions and another strip and vice versa.

Abstract: A cartridge system for carrying an edge binder and for use with a binding apparatus is disclosed for use in preparing bound booklets from prepunched sheets, usually paper. The cartridge is constructed to cooperate with the binding apparatus to carry and deliver binders for use in forming a booklet and to indicate to the apparatus as by location of conductive adhesive pads, the contents of the cartridge. Structure on the cartridge can operate the apparatus to control the thickness of delivered prepunched sheets. The apparatus includes a tool for opening the binder, a guide for delivering paper, and a support for the cartridge to deliver the binder. The tool, paper guide and cartridge support are angularly related to each other and to the horizontal.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an attachment for a laminating machine. The attachment permits one-sided lamination by adjustably imparting a reverse curling force to an initially curled laminate. The reverse curling force is imparted by bending and/or stretching the heated and laminated product before the film sets so as to offset the initial curl. This is done by drawing the laminated product over a bar edge and adjusting the draw with an adjustable roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and cartridge for use in binding prepunched sheets into a booklet using curled-finger ring-type edge binders. The binders include an opening tool which is drawn through the binder for spreading curled binder finger from the binder spine to form a document receiving gap. Binder/tool combinations are carried in the cartridge which includes a binding position or slot. The cartridge is to be positioned in an apparatus having a recessed base for receiving the cartridge and a cover which includes a paper receiving slot. The base defines a slot for alignment with the cartridge binding position slot. In the opened position, the terminus of the cover slot is aligned with the base slot. When the cartridge is in position and the cover opened, a booklet can be formed at the binding position by a binder being opened, apertured paper deposited in the cover slot and binder, and removal of the opening tool to permit the binder to close on the apertured paper.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus and method for binding prepunched and apertured materials together with a curled-finger ring-type edge binder using an elongated tool. The tool includes leading, intermediate and trailing sections. The leading section is longer than the binder, but not as wide. The intermediate section which uncurls the fingers taperingly joins the leading and trailing sections. The trailing section is longer and wider than the binder, holds the fingers open, aligns the prepunched paper relative to the fingers and can form an upwardly-facing paper receiving gap. The back end of the trailing section is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool for releasing the fingers so as to allow each finger to release its potential energy, extent or snap through the aperture and thus bind the paper together.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for use in binding, which apparatus includes a base and a cover member hingedly connected to each other. The cover member includes a binding-receiving compartment positioned above a portion of the base. A pair of spaced electrical contacts are positioned in the base below the binder-receiving compartment for receiving and connecting to the binder-receiving contact. The base includes an electric circuit compartment for housing an electric circuit adapted to apply a current to said conductors upon contact with the book for a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a binder cover system for binding loose pages to a cover. The cover includes a spine and a front and back cover hingedly connected thereto, there being applied an electrically conductive layer to an insulator layer which carries an electrically conductive layer and which is secured to said spine and a heat-activatable adhesive layer to said conductive layer. Electrically conductive rivet-like means extend through said spine insulating layer and said electrically conductive layer and are connected by said electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A binding mechanism for use in binding punched and apertured material is disclosed herein. The mechanism includes a comb having teeth or tines for holding a binding element having a plastic-type backbone and curled binding fingers. A slidable hook mechanism is used to engage and uncurl the binding fingers so that the punched and apertured material can be bound thereon. The comb is mounted so as to be transversely slidable from an original position to a second position. A biasing spring is provided for returning the comb from the second position to the original position. This slidable comb cooperates in minimizing damage in the event these binding fingers are inoperatively jammed or wedged between the hook and the comb.